India takes a tumble in Asian Team Squash Championships

Expectedly the focus was more on the leading stars Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Karthik in the women's group league because if both won then India wins too. Even though Malaysia was without Nicol David, the team had the depth and this was proved. First, Akanksha Salunkhe buckled under pressure despite being on game point situation in the first game against Sivasangari. Once the Malaysian escaped she had Akanksha under her control. Dipika next was in for an initial scare at the hands of Rachel Arnold, the younger sister of Delia. Playing explosive shots, she grabbed the first game but experienced Dipika changed tact and that did it. The Indian comfortably took the next three games to restore parity in the match scores. All now depended on

For the men disaster struck in the very first match when a free moving Kush Kumar developed an ankle strain and lost steam. Though he tried to catch up, the Japanese opponent Kobayashi was quick to realise his winning chance and achieved it. Much depended on Harinder Pal Sandhu to shore up India's cause but, as National Coach Cyrus Poncha said, “his performance came as a disappointment.” Though India's number one player grabbed a game he did not inspire confidence and crashed out. Youngster Velavan Senthilkumar played to potential to win his match, even though it was a lost case by then. Later in the day, India got past Macau to draw some relief.

India bt Macau 3-0 (Harinder Pal Sandhu bt Steven Liu Tsun Man 11-7, 11-4, 11-6; Kush Kumar bt Van Keng Hei 11-3, 11-1, 11-2; Vijaykumar Meena bt Manuel Chan Gassmann de Oliveira 11-6, 11-4, 11-4)

Women: India lost to Malaysia 2-1 (Akanksha Salunkhe lost to Sivasangari Subramaniam11-13, 4-11, 8-11; Dipika Karthik bt Rachel Arnold 2-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-3; Joshna Chinappa lost to Delia Arnold 11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 9-11)